Places to go
We’ve put together a list of baby-friendly places to go in and around Stroud we think you’ll enjoy, focusing on locations with baby change facilities, play spaces, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Do also check out the GlosFamilies Directory and Stroud Rocks for more things to do and family information. Feel free to contact me with recommendations!
☕ Cafes (with Baby-Friendly Features)
Finding a spot that welcomes a pram and a hungry baby is key!
Woodruffs Organic Cafe
Location: Near the top of the High Street, Stroud, GL5 1AJ.
Highlights: Mum and baby/toddler friendly, with a relaxed atmosphere.
Pram/Baby Info: Features an enclosed children's play area and space for prams downstairs.
Contact: 01453 759 195 | www.woodruffsorganiccafe.co.uk
The Canteen
Location: Daysmill, Nailsworth, GL6 0DU.
Highlights: Very cool and yet baby friendly, with delicious food and drinks.
Pram/Baby Info: Lovely and helpful staff who don't mind warming up bottles!
Contact: thecanteennailsworth.com
Prema
Location: Bethesda Chapel, South Street, Uley, Nr Dursley, GL11 5SS.
Highlights: Fantastic cafe and art space with regular exhibitions and workshops. Look out for their family events in the Kids Zone section of the website.
Contact: www.prema.org.uk
Curio Lounge
Location: Kings St, Stroud.
Highlights: Not an independent cafe, but it's large and welcoming.
Pram/Baby Info: It's big and has loads of room for buggies, comfy sofas, and a few toys.
Contact: thelounges.co.uk
☀️ Days Out (Farms, Parks & Attractions)
These locations are great for a day trip and are generally known to be baby/toddler-friendly.
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Highlights: An ideal place to get closer to nature. Home to an astounding array of wildlife and a year-round programme of walks, events, and encounters.
Pram/Baby Info: Pram friendly, multiple baby changing facilites, playground, outdoor cafe, and indoor restaurant. A wonderful place to take babies and toddlers for all the different sounds and smells.
St. Augustines Farm, Arlingham
Highlights: A real working organic dairy farm specially suited to early years and primary age children. See the cows being milked, help feed the baby calves, and explore over 50 acres.
Pram/Baby Info: Indoor and outdoor activities. Phone Elaine or Rob on 01452 740720 for more details.
St James City Farm, Gloucester
Highlights: A taste of the countryside in the heart of Gloucester. Kids will love meeting the local animal residents.
Pram/Baby Info: Run as a community project by a charity and free entrance!
Cotswold Water Park
Highlights: Has a special under 5s play area with their own paddling bit.
Cattle Country near Berkeley
Highlights: A great mix of indoor and outdoor fun, perfect for all weather.
Corinium Museum in Cirencester
Highlights: A great option for an indoor activity on a rainy day.
Also consider: Cotswold Farm Park, Prinknash Abbey, Berkeley Castle and Butterfly Centre, Westonbirt Arboretum, Newark Park, Woodchester Mansion, Woodchester Park, and Butts Farm in Cirencester.
🌳 Outdoor Spaces and Walks
Essential for getting out of the house for a dose of fresh air.
Stratford Park
Highlights: A large park with a playground and skate park.
Pram/Baby Info: The fairly flat loop around Stratford Park Lake is excellent for prams with benches along the route. Toilets (with baby change) are available both outside and inside the leisure centre. Easy parking.
Whiteshill Playing Field
Highlights: Great play area for little ones with a wonderful view and benches.
Pram/Baby Info: Parking is right in front of the play area. Has a community-run shop and cafe next door.
The Commons (Minchinhampton, Rodborough, Selsley)
Highlights: Vast, beautiful spaces for walking, picnics, ball games, and of course, eating ice-cream at Winstones Ice-cream factory!
Pram/Baby Info: Best with an off-road/all-terrain pushchair or a baby carrier, as the terrain can be uneven.
Coaley Peak
Highlights: 12 acres of grassland with panoramic views of the Severn Vale (4 miles SW of Stroud on B4066).
Pram/Baby Info: Car Park and Toilets available.
Other Play Areas/Walks:
Daisy Bank: At the end of Horns Rd, near the cemetery in Stroud. A popular park and play area.
Chalford Hill/France Lynch: A good jungle gym, the river, and a dirt track for bikes in the woods.
Summer Crescent, Summer Street, Stroud: Recently refurbished with lovely wooden play equipment.
Also try: Painswick Beacon and Haresfield Beacon for walking (best with a decent off-road pushchair or a baby carrier!), and check the Woodchester Park website for info on their trails.
🌧️ Indoor Spaces
Perfect for rainy days and a change of scenery.
Museum in the Park, Stroud
Highlights: Free to get in. Pushchair friendly.
Pram/Baby Info: Refreshments and toilets are available. There's a little play area on the second floor with wooden toys and lovely books.
Contact: museuminthepark.org.uk
Go Bananas Indoor Softplay Centre
Location: Ebley, between Stroud and Stonehouse.
Highlights: A good selection of varying equipment.
Pram/Baby Info: They provide a separate play area for kids under 4 years old to keep them safe.
Contact: http://www.gobananas.org.uk/
Rugrats and Half Pints, Cirencester
Highlights: An inside play park with a variety of different play areas and entertainment.
Pram/Baby Info: You can enjoy the onsite cafe while your kids play.